Jefferson City Community Center to benefit from Juneteenth concessions
The Jefferson City Community Center, one of few remaining buildings from the heyday of the Black community, is being brought back to life. The historic stone building opened in 1942, when segregation forced "separate but equal" facilities for black and white residents. Black citizens even had to build the facility themselves, pinching pennies to raise enough funds.
To help fund current restoration efforts, proceeds from concessions at this weekend’s Juneteenth Celebration at Community Park will go to the Community Center. Concessions will be available at the free showing of the movie “Black Panther'' at 9 pm Saturday.
Concessions supporting the Community Center will also be available during festivities Sunday from 4-8 pm, which include a Black Business and Organization Showcase, Desserts for Dads, entertainment and special presentations. The Jefferson City Parks and Rec Department will be dedicating pieces of the JC Parks Art Series on Sunday.
Tours of the Community Center will be available Sunday also. Visitors at the center will be able to preview the artwork for the African-American history panels sponsored by the Jefferson City Arts Foundation and MODOT. The panels will be installed at Community Park when complete.
From the 1940’s-1960’s, the Community Center was active with dances, organization meetings and activities for children, young people and adults. Social services, including a soup kitchen, also were offered. During World War II and the Korean conflict, the center also served as a U.S.O. center for Black military personnel.
The Community Center was built on East Dunklin Street, just off Lafayette Street, which was a growing area of Black residences and Black-operated businesses. Tragically, most residences and businesses in the area were destroyed by Urban Renewal efforts of the 1960’s.
Fortunately the picturesque stone building still stands, a reminder of important social, cultural and educational efforts undertaken by Black residents to improve conditions in their community. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The center is located just east of the newly-renovated Community Park.
The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority has taken a lead role in the renovation of the Community Center, sponsoring the rehabilitation of the front room and furnishing it in sorority colors of salmon pink and apple green. AKA sorority member Wiletta Rogers remodeled the back room in memory of her daughter, Jackie.
Sorority member Mary Simmons said she has been motivated to work on the renovation to preserve the legacy of Estelle Diggs, who was instrumental in getting the center built to meet needs of the Black community.
“This Community Center is important to preserve as a reflection of the multicultural life in Jefferson City,” she said. “We hope people will donate to its preservation to embrace our city’s rich history.”
Also very involved with current restoration efforts are the Community Center Association board members: Donna Stallings, Marcus Thorton, Lauren Carter, Ricky Nix, Valerie Williams and Patsy Johnson.
More information on the Community Center and donating to the renovation can be obtained by emailing efac608@gmail.com.
Community Center supporters have cleaned up the historic building for tours this Sunday. From left to right, Marcell Pickens, Mary Simmons, Liz Morrow, Yolanda West, Cheryl Hibbett, Patsy Johnson, Audrey Campbell, Freddie Sokoloff, Vicky Meter, Linda Roberts and Ebony Johnson. Dallas Martin is in the front.
Jefferson City Community Center
Donations
To donate, scan Cash App code below, or email the center at efac608@gmail.com